Illustration til eventyr 1848 - 1926

Waldemar Bøhme created this illustration for a fairytale using engraving, a technique that dates back to the 15th century. Bøhme lived during a time of burgeoning nationalism and a renewed interest in folklore. The image presents a sleeping giant, vulnerable and still, while two smaller figures flee in the background, one seemingly in distress. During the late 1800s, visual representations of folklore were often deployed to create a sense of national identity, emphasizing the values, traditions, and stories that were considered unique to a particular culture. The sleeping giant could be interpreted as a representation of the old ways, or the old world, being overtaken by the new. Consider the power dynamics at play here: a giant, typically seen as powerful, is rendered helpless, while the smaller, human figures gain agency through their escape. The image evokes the emotional tension between fear and freedom, oppression and liberation, inviting us to reflect on who holds power and how it can shift.